Published 17:45 IST, September 6th 2019
Jofra Archer sledged by a couple of Australian fans at Old Trafford
Jofra Archer was sledged by a couple of Australian fans during the fourth Test match. As per reports, the fans had asked Archer to show them their passport.
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Jofra Archer has had an eventful Ashes series so far. He had made his Test debut during the second Test at Lord's where he floored Steve Smith as the star Australian batsman suffered a concussion and could not bat in the second innings and also missed out the next Test at Headingley. As a result of Smith's injury, a concussion replacement was introduced for the very first time in the form of Marnus Labuschagne. Surprisingly, even Labuschagne was floored by Jofra Archer's lethal bouncer in the second innings. Archer then had a good outing in the following Test match as he took 6-45 which was also his maiden five-wicket haul. However, the Barbadian cricketer had a disastrous outing in the fourth Test at Manchester with the ball. Not only that, but Jofra Archer was also a subject of taunts from the Australian crowd.
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Australian fans sledge Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer had a forgettable day on the field after Australia had elected to bat after winning the toss. Steve Smith, who was injured by Archer was making a comeback after having missed the previous Test match. It was touted as the battle between Smith and Archer but the young pacer was handled nicely by the top-ranked Test batsman. Jofra Archer could have got rid of Smith had he held on to a caught and bowled chance when the latter was batting at 65. Even though Jofra Archer had bowled three maidens, he went wicketless and gave away 97 runs. His bad day was made worse by a couple of Australian fans.
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As per reports by an Australian publication, the Aussie fans who were seated near the boundary where Jofra Archer was fielding asked Archer to show them his passport referring to his Barbadian (Caribbean) and as per sources, it was also done in a bad taste. Both the Australian fans were evicted from the Old Trafford stadium by the authorities after complaints of abusive behaviour from other fans. Meanwhile, even Jofra Archer was reportedly annoyed after this incident but he did not react or respond back to the Australian fans.
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Steve Smith's scores a solid double century
Steve Smith continued his splendid form in the ongoing Ashes series as he scored his third double century against England. Smith had also raced his way to 26th Test hundred as he not only surpassed Virat Kohli but also Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar to become the second-fastest batsman to 26 tons in the game's longest format. Steve Smith scored a 319-ball 211 which included a couple of lifelines. After Archer had dropped him off his own bowling, Smith was dismissed by Jack Leach for 118. Unfortunately, replays showed that Leach had overstepped and he came back to the crease. In the end, Smith's double ton helped Australia reach 497/8 post which they declared their innings.
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15:59 IST, September 6th 2019